Andrew Hunt

Batley Bulldogs are gearing up for arguably their toughest game of the Betfred Championship season when big spending Toronto Wolfpack visit Fox’s Biscuits Stadium on Sunday (kick off 3pm).

Toronto moved top of the Championship with a 24-22 victory away to previous leaders Toulouse on Monday but Batley go into the game full of confidence having won twice over the busy Easter period.

Batley players were given additional recovery supplements to take over Easter and it reaped its rewards as the Bulldogs followed up Good Friday’s 18-10 derby victory over Dewsbury Rams with a 28-14 success away to Sheffield Eagles on Monday.

Coach Matt Diskin was pleased with the way his side ground out two wins, as Batley moved up to seventh place in the Championship, level with Leigh and Halifax.

Diskin said: “We didn’t play at our best over the two games but we showed character, grit and determination to get the wins.

“Toronto made a slow start to the year but they are now showing the quality they possess.

“It is a big ask but one we are going to enjoy and we want to put on a good show for them.

“It has been a tough start with the postponements and the teams we have lost to, we have deserved to, against teams above us and with bigger budgets than us.

“This is round nine but we have only played seven games and although we know what we are capable of, we have only just scratched the surface and we will get better as the season goes on.

“We have got to be disciplined and not give silly penalties away and we have got to be clinical with ball in hand but I’m sure if we can do those things, we will give them a game.

Assistant coach Danny Maun is relishing the side coming up against the Wolfpack’s might and has praised the club’s efforts in marketing the game.

Maun said: “It is massive for the club. Toronto have the best squad outside Super League and I hope we get a big crowd to watch.

“When you walk around Batley you se plenty of Leeds or Huddersfield shirts but this is a chance to come up and say ‘I was there’ when Toronto came to The Mount.

“Nobody expects us to do anything but the lads are up for it.”

Izaac Farrell could return after missing Easter with concussion.

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